Seamus “Shay” Given (born 20 April 1976 in Lifford, County Donegal) is an Irish football goalkeeper.
He plays for Newcastle United F.C. and Ireland, and is regarded as one of the finest and most reliable custodians in the game today. He is also vice-captain of the Republic of Ireland, after being overlooked in favour of Robbie Keane, as Steve Staunton wanted an outfield captain.
He was originally on the Celtic F.C. youth team before moving to Blackburn Rovers F.C., where he was spotted by Peter Reid, who loaned him for Sunderland A.F.C. At Sunderland, he showed himself to be a capable player, and soon after leaving Sunderland was poached by their local rivals Newcastle and established himself in the first team immediately, displacing Pavel Srnicek.
For Ireland, Given has been capped over 70 times and was his country’s starter at the 2002 World Cup.
Shay was playing for the local men’s team Lifford Celtic at the age of 14. He was propelled into the limelight when he played in the FAI’s Junior Cup for Lifford in the semifinal in Dundalk. In spite of being on the wrong end of the 1-0 scoreline, Shay had done enough by holding his own between the sticks.
Shay was invited to join Celtic F.C. on a pre-season tour of Ireland when he was just 15 and then signed terms at 16.
He moved to the Scottish League before moving down to Blackburn Rovers F.C. in 1994 to join manager Kenny Dalglish. Unable to dislodge England international Tim Flowers from goal at Ewood Park, Shay went on loan to Swindon Town F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C., after playing only two games for Blackburn. At Sunderland he put in a notable performance, keeping 16 clean sheets out of 17 appearances.
Even though he had been brought back to Blackburn, Given received a “Division One winners medal” from Sunderland, having made over 10 appearances for the club during his loan spell.
Dalglish later became the manager of Newcastle United and one of his first signings was Given in 1997 for a fee of £1.5 million. He played in the 1998 FA Cup Final and then missed out on the 1999 FA Cup Final when displaced by Steve Harper, but after sitting out the start of the 1999/2000 season, ended the campaign in possession of the first-team place.
In 2000/2001, Shay was once again in magnificent form for club and country and earned most supporters’ awards as their Player of the Season.
Shay lost his place briefly to Steve Harper due to injury and handed in a transfer request. The request was more a protest rather than a genuine wish to ever leave the club. The club rejected the request and, as it happened, Steve Harper injured himself in training and Shay was back in goal.
In 2001/2002 Shay played in every Premiership match and was named in the PFA Premiership Team of the Season. He was outstanding in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan, but could not prevent the Republic of Ireland being shown the door by Spain.
In February 2003, Shay’s save to deny Kevin Phillips on 24 February, 2003 made the FAPL’s 10th Season Awards under the category Save of the Decade.
On 30 April 2003, Given became Newcastle’s most capped player when he won his 41st cap, overtaking Alf McMichael’s previous record. He ended 2003 as the holder of the Premiership’s record for the most consecutive appearances record, now surrendered to Frank Lampard of Chelsea F.C.
Given was named in the Premiership’s team of the year for his consistent performances throughout the 2005-2006 season
On 12 May 2006, Given signed a new five year contract at Newcastle.